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Community Program In Dong Van Global Geopark

The experience

In Dong Van Global Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized landscape of majestic limestone mountains, ancient villages, and diverse ethnic cultures. We promotes slow travel, ecological awareness, and protect traditional knowledge, promote fair economic opportunities, intercultural learning through field programs and workshops.

We believe tourism can be a tool for education, not exploitation — and we welcome volunteers who share this vision.

What you offer

20 hours of help per week

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Music: Perform to entertain guests, children or local communities.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Social Work: Help with volunteer work in local projects and communities.

What you get

2 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Discounts on Tours: Get discounts for tours and excursions around town.

Discounts on Accommodation: Get discounts for your stay in other hostels.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Get free drinks or beverages.: Drink up! Get free and tasty drinks for yourself.

Free Parties: Get free entrance for the best parties in town.

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Fluent English

Between 20 and 65 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

About Our Project
The Dong Van Karst Plateau Cultural & Ecological Experience Center is located in the heart of Dong Van Global Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized landscape of majestic limestone mountains, ancient villages, and diverse ethnic cultures.
We are developing an Educational & Cultural Tourism Initiative that promotes slow travel, cultural preservation, ecological awareness, and community empowerment. Our mission is to protect traditional knowledge, promote fair economic opportunities, and encourage intercultural learning through field programs and workshops.
We believe tourism can be a tool for education, not exploitation — and we welcome volunteers who share this vision.

Activities & Shift

We are seeking passionate and creative volunteers to help us strengthen our impact. Depending on your background, you can join in one or more of these areas:

1. Website & Digital Presence

* Design, update, or maintain our website and social media channels.
* Create visuals, stories, or short videos to share our message.
* Help us reach travelers, researchers, and partner organizations.

2. Research & Educational Program Development

- Collaborate with local guides, artisans, and elders to collect cultural, geographic, and ecological knowledge.
- Support the creation of Educational Field Programs, Cultural & Craft Workshops, and Cultural Exchange Programs.
- Assist in translating or editing educational materials.

3. Community Collaboration & Partnership Building

- Help connect us with universities, NGOs, and research institutions.
- Support local families and artisans in documenting their crafts and traditional systems (tea fermentation, hemp weaving, incense making, bamboo paper, “stone niche” farming, etc.).
- Encourage youth participation and cultural continuity.
Project Goals

Your contribution will help us achieve:

✅ Economic empowerment: Direct income for host families and artisans.
✅ Cultural continuity: Preservation and transmission of traditional skills and beliefs.
✅ Environmental awareness: Education focused on protecting mountain ecology.
✅ Educational partnerships: Building networks with universities and cultural institutes.

Rules

1. General Principles

Our center welcomes volunteers from all over the world to join hands in preserving the cultural and ecological heritage of the Dong Van Karst Plateau.
We expect all volunteers to contribute with respect, curiosity, and responsibility.

2. Respect for Local Culture & People

* Show respect for local traditions, beliefs, and daily life of ethnic communities (Hmong, Tay, Dao, etc.).
* Dress modestly and appropriately, especially when visiting villages, temples, or family homes.
* Always ask before taking photos of people, homes, or ceremonies.
* Avoid behavior that may be considered disrespectful, such as loud arguments, public displays of affection, or alcohol abuse.

3.Teamwork & Attitude

* Be open-minded, proactive, and ready to help in various tasks (education, community projects, environment, tourism support, etc.).
* Communicate kindly and clearly with both local staff and other volunteers.
* Follow the instructions of the local coordinator or project leader.
* Work hours: around 4–5 hours/day, 5 days a week (may vary slightly depending on project needs).

4. Environmental Responsibility

* Conserve water and electricity — resources are limited in mountain areas.
* Avoid single-use plastics; use refillable bottles and eco-friendly products.
* Help with recycling, waste sorting, and keeping the surroundings clean.
* Take initiative in maintaining the natural beauty of the area.

5. Accommodation & Meals

* Respect quiet hours (usually 10:00 PM – 6:00 AM).
* Keep shared areas (bedroom, kitchen, bathroom) clean and tidy.
* Meals are mostly local and home-cooked; please inform us in advance of any dietary restrictions.
* No outside guests without permission from the coordinator.

6. Health & Safety

* Inform us of any health conditions, allergies,